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Drastic measures to cut the Irish suckler herd by as much as 53% have been recommended by the Government’s Climate Change Advisory Council.
It assessed three scenarios of cutting the suckler herd by 15%, 30% and 53% to reduce overall agricultural emissions.
Suckler cow reductions of between 304,000 and 536,000 are favoured by the chair of the council, Prof John Fitzgerald. This would mean a 30% or 53% cut to the current suckler herd.
Agriculture accounts for 32.1% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, the highest of any sector.
The country will miss its 2030 target unless agriculture emissions are reduced.
Increasing forestry and adopting low-emission slurry spreading would not be enough to meet 2030 targets without reducing cattle numbers, Fitzgerald said.
The report recommends an “extensification” process be included in the next CAP.
Farmers would be guaranteed their full direct payment from CAP for reducing numbers, the report says.
It also suggests cutting the payments of more intensive farmers to pay suckler farmers who opt to reduce numbers.
“We’re not trying to wipe out a sector,” Fitzgerald told the Irish Farmers Journal. “What we’re suggesting is a steady [herd] reduction over the next 12 years.”
He also questioned future expansion for the dairy herd.
“We really need to stop expanding the dairy herd,” Fitzgerald said.
“If there is any increase in the dairy herd then we need a bigger reduction in the suckler herd.”
SHARING OPTIONS: